Vandenberg AFB Beefs Up Security: No Beach Access

San Diego Union-Tribune ^ | staff

[Bernard Marx]

VANDENBERG AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. — Beefed up security at Vandenberg Air Force Base is preventing public access to the state's Point Sal Beach, which can only be reached on foot through military base property.

Outdoor recreational activity has also been banned on most of Vandenberg's 98,000 acres near Lompoc.

The military says the heightened state of security will be in place indefinitely. Officials with Vandenberg's 30th Space Wing says the Department of Defense ordered the increase in security and no details are being released.

However, the measures were imposed after Osama bin Laden released an audio recording threatening Americans.

[RaceBannon]

I think that may have been an order. Since WHEN does a Democrat increase national security??

If this is true, there is someting afoot, like a counter missile shootdown?

As for preventing intelligence to get out, that sounds bogus, satelites see everything these days, except inside rocks, so, what would they be hding?

Is there a runway near the beach end?

[Recovering_Democrat]

Hussein really is making the world a better place.
< \sarcasm>

[hoosiermama]

Are they bringing in or deploying more troops and don't want others to know? Are you on American in Tokyo's ping list?...Lots of good material lately....

Who knows: Inner purge coming in NK....power struggle...... possibly stupid act to unite the country.

[Quix]

When was OThuga’s buddy Bin Laden’s threat?

[Inspectorette]

...a tough location to secure. Size, remoteness, ocean frontage and dense brush provide lot’s of opportunities for encroachment.

Not to mention, the Amtrak Coast Starlighter runs right through Vandenberg. Easy enough, if the train slows down for whatever reason, to jump off.

[b4its2late]

You’re not going to see anything negative from this group of pressers unless an actual disaster occurs.

[Quix]

IS THIS FOR REAL?

FROM:

http://members.tripod.com/vfas524/warstatus.html

War Information

We are currently at DEFCON:

 

5

4

3

2

1

 

DEFCON  (Defense Readiness Condition): This system informs our members and other squadrons of the current readiness condition of the VFAS-524.  This DEFCON rating ranges from 5 (peacetime) to 1 (at war).  The stages of alerts are as follows:
DEFCON 5 (FADE OUT):  Normal peacetime situation exists, no current threats.  Standard Training schedule.  No challenges from any other have been received.
DEFCON 4 (DOUBLE TAKE):  Increased intelligence watch and strengthened security measures.  Training exercises increased.  VFAS-524 has issued a challenge to another squadron for combat.  A date and time has not been set.
DEFCON 3 (ROUND HOUSE):  An increase in force readiness above normal readiness.  Training increased further,   all Reserve Pilots are reactivated to Active status.  VFAS-524 has received a challenge for combat.  A date and time has not been set.
DEFCON 2 (FAST PACE):  A further increase in force readiness but less than maximum readiness, All members are alerted to the possibility that war is eminent.  VFAS-524 has received or issued a challenge for combat.  A date and time has been set.
DEFCON 1 (COCKED PISTOL):  Maximum force readiness, Scramble, War has begun.
STAND DOWN:  Once a threat no longer exists a stand down  order will be issued by the C/O, X/O, or Ops Officer

[Quix]

IF we are really at DEFCON 2 . . . what’s OThuga doing running around with business as usual?

Why no discussion in the press?

Sounds like a lot is going on under the table.

[McGruff]

Wait. Obama just made peace with his Muslim brothers yesterday.

[rockinqsranch]

Interesting. Wondering if the Gates visit to Alaska, and now this are related?

[Bernard Marx]

I know the area pretty well. I lived in Shell Beach (Pismo) for many years and have been to the base on several occasions (L-5 meetings and tours). I’ve watched many a missile launch from various points along the coast — including my own yard in Shell — and can still see them from here in Ventura County. I understand the security problem well — as bad as Area 51 with more cover!

[Quix]

Anyone know what terror alert level is?

[Quix]

This is interesting . . .

from:

http://answers.yahoo.com/question/index?qid=20090528105517AAJ4SiN

Any Update On Current DEFCON Status re: N. Korea?
I have heard 3. I have heard 2 (in the local theater)..

MSNBC is not leading with the story.

A lot of conflicting words out there.

The usually idiotic AP has it as “Threat Level 2,” but other sources are saying 3, with local 2. A friend of mine who is a USAF officer at a base in Korea, just responded to my e-mail with a one-word answer...”Worry.”

Anybody got any updates? TV news is being VERY quiet on this, even though print media and web media seem to be keying on it.

* 1 week ago

Additional Details
NOTE: AP has taken the reference to the numeric threat indicator to a “high risk.”

1 week ago
LOL...by local theater, I meant Korea, not the movies. LOL

1 week ago
Folks, it looks like the “fit is about to hit the shan,” eh?

1 week ago
Aristotle: The word “Worry” does not constitute a compromise of security. I spent enough time in a blue suit to know what is and isn’t a compromise...and had he said more, I would’ve been the first one to narc on him. I am a former senior Captain...and I have spent some time with my *** in the grass in Intel. I also speak and read Korean, so I know what to interpret in what way. I have viewed the Peninsula from a nice orbit in an EC-121. I am reading the MI tea leaves and this does not look promising.

1 week ago
EDIT FOR ARISTOTLE: What is even more “wrong” is someone that self-identifies as an “Army Officer” accusing his superior officers of being “trigger happy.”

1 week ago
Aristotle: BTW, he did not tell me anything that the press doesn’t already know.

1 week ago
Cecilia: I haven’t spoken a word of Korean since I left USAFSS, so I can’t comment. LOL

I think what he meant was that a response could be imminent...but I do not want to read more into it than what he said. Let’s just say that he knows my background...and he could not elaborate further at this point in time. Of course, I will not press the issue. I do know that passes and leaves have been revoked.

1 week ago

Best Answer - Chosen by Asker
I got in contact with my friend up at the DMZ. He told me they have revoked all passes and leave, and anyone currently on leave or pass is to report back ASAP. They cancelled all training exercises and are currently not allowed to leave the base unless they reside off-post. Also he told me there is now an order that no one is to consume alcohol.

Sounds to me like either something is about to happen or the US isn’t taking any chances on this one.

* 1 week ago

[winoneforthegipper]

Not sure? However, in searching this defcon situation, seems our Army went DEFCON 2, last week!

http://macedoniaonline.eu/content/view/6893/2/

[Grampa Dave]

That is probably from the Mac Game DEFCON.

[Quix]

American IT, if I’m not on your ping list, please put me on.

What’s your spidey sense and connections telling you?

Here’s this:

http://www.defconwarningsystem.com/

This is the DEFCON Warning System. Alert status for 9 P.M., Monday, June 1st, 2009. Condition Green: DEFCON 5. Condition Green: DEFCON 5. Condition Green: DEFCON 5.

There are currently no imminent nuclear threats against the United States at this time.

The General Accounting Office of the United States warns that the U.S. Global Positioning System, which is used by the United States military, is in danger of failure due to lack of maintenance. In the meantime, Russia and China have their own systems which are currently being expanded.

Developments continue on several fronts in the Middle East. The United States has stopped informing Israel of its diplomatic or strategic efforts, further moving away from its support of the Jewish State. However, the United States has stepped up training on its Arrow anti-missile system in Israel ahead of a believed impending attack by Iran. It is unknown who will strike first as the Israeli government is currently divided on what steps to take to prevent Iran from obtaining nuclear weapons while Iran has show no fear of the current U.S. government. Iran is also in the stages to purchase uranium from Brazil and has launched a new medium-range missile capable of striking Israel and U.S. bases in the Middle East.

North Korea recently detonated a second nuclear weapon and has restarted its plutonium reactor, resulting in the usual condemnation by the United Nations but no concrete action by the world body. Further missile tests are planned by the regime which has resulted in increased military activity by South Korea. North Korea has also renounced the armistice which ended the Korean war, but has not made any troop movements by the border, though they have doubled fighter sorties by the Demilitarized Zone. Like Iran, North Korea has determined that there is no country willing to stop them from acquiring nuclear weapons.

China, though an ally of North Korea, is troubled by the actions of its ally, not wanting another war on the peninsula. It is believed by some that China will not aid North Korea should another war break out there. However, China continues to expand its influence in the Middle East by selling advanced air defense systems to Iran, including elements from Russian S-300 and American MIM-104 Patriot systems. Increased Chinese activity have caused some in the Joint Chiefs of Staff to believe that growing Chinese military power is directly aimed at the United States.

The DEFCON Warning System is a private enterprise which monitors world events and assesses nuclear threats against the United States by national entities. It does not evaluate individual terrorist threats and does not report on them except in cases of hard intelligence. The public should make their own evaluations and not rely on the DEFCON Warning System for any strategic planning. At all times, citizens are urged to learn what steps to take in the event of a nuclear attack.

If this had been an actual attack, the DEFCON Warning System will give radiation readings for areas that are reported to it. Your readings will vary. This system serves the Kettle Falls area of Northeast Washington. Official news sources will have radiation readings for your area.

For immediate updates, go to www.defconwarningsystem.com. You may also subscribe to the YouTube channel DefconWarningSystem, however YouTube updates may be delayed by several hours due to server load. The next scheduled update is 9 P.M. Pacific Time, July 1st, 2009. Additional updates will be made as the situation warrants, with more frequent updates at higher alert levels.

This concludes this broadcast of the DEFCON Warning System.

[doorgunner69]

Yes.

[Quix]

Joya is seeing 4 transport helicopters barely over I-70 flying over formation sort of looks like they are going South but hard to tell.

. . . right at Abilene Kansas just North of I-70

Wonders if anyone knows what’s going on with them.

[Quix]

Good.

I didn’t think we were at DEFCON 2.

YOUTUBE DEFCON WARNING HAS US AT 5 = GREEN = NORMAL.

[don-o]

I have it on good authority that a certain Marine (recently promoted to Lance Corporal - see tag) will be departing from Cali this afternoon for a visit home to Tennessee.

Not saying it caused all this...but, ya never know.